Nungwi Beach Resort by Turaco

Dorota Zborowska

e recently spent 9 days at a hotel in Zanzibar and wanted to share a few highlights and helpful observations for future travelers. When we first arrived, the room we were given had a very strong moldy smell, which was a bit of a letdown—especially if you’re sensitive or have allergies. Thankfully, the hotel staff quickly moved us to another room, which was much better. That said, if you’re particularly sensitive to damp smells, it’s something to keep in mind. Beyond that, the rooms were clean, the swimming pool was lovely, and the overall facilities were well maintained. We were on an all-inclusive package and were genuinely surprised by the variety and quality of the food. Even after 9 days, we didn’t find it too repetitive, which is rare! The drinks were fabulous and beautifully presented—definitely a highlight of the stay. Weather-wise, July brought a lot of clouds, and the sunshine was limited. While not ideal for full-on sunbathing, it’s obviously not something the hotel can control. What truly made our experience memorable was the exceptional staff—incredibly polite, helpful, and genuinely warm. Their hospitality added something special to our stay and left us with very positive feelings overall.

Susan van Driel

7-Day Family Holiday at Nungwi Beach Hotel We had a fantastic 7-day family holiday at Nungwi Beach Hotel. The experience exceeded our expectations in many ways. Food: Excellent quality with a wide variety of options each day. One evening even featured king prawns, which was a highlight. Entertainment: Live music during dinner added a great atmosphere and made the evenings special. Staff: Everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout our stay. Accommodation: Our room was spacious, clean, and very well maintained. Beach & Sea: Beautiful setting with minimal tidal movement – perfect for relaxing and swimming. Activities: We went on two dives at the local reef, and the experience was even better than we expected – great visibility and marine life. Overall, we had an amazing time and would definitely recommend Nungwi Beach Hotel to others looking for a memorable beach holiday.

Kristin Means

Adjusting to 1 star for the false response from management. There was nothing immediate about the response to the room next to us flooding. There was never an offer to change rooms. The offer for points (that we never received) and comping our laundry came the next day after my bf had to seek out a manager and wait 20 minutes for someone to assist him. The manager did offer us a free night - knowing that we had pre-booked a car to our next adventure. Customer service is not what the hotel cares about- just bad reviews. We wanted to stay at a nice Marriott property to end our stay in Africa. What we got was a flooded room from a problem in adjoining room, constant power outages, and eeh food that was horribly overpriced. We received no apologies or assistance for the room being flooded - not a thing - even after having to call 3 times to get them to come look at it. Overall - a huge waste of money and a blotch on Marriott’s good name. Pick almost any other hotel in this area and you will pay less, get better service, food, and responses from the front desk.

Soumil Kulkarni

Spent two nights here in May. We had a good first impression of the place, as it looked pretty picturesque, but as time passed, our opinions changed. The front desk was polite and helpful, they agreed to upgrade our rooms since it was my partner's birthday. Upon entering the room, we noticed a distinct smell - but considering it was rainy season on an Island, we let it go. As we checked in late at night, we were preparing to sleep. We wanted to grab dinner, their kitchen shuts by 10:30pm or so. We asked for a vegetarian pizza with no meat, they ended up sending a pepperoni. The window in the bathroom was open as well, leading to a mosquitoes coming in. We woke up the next morning to find that the bidet had leaked in the bathroom and the floor was wet. Dental kits, slippers, were all available upon request - nothing in the room. So we waited nearly 20-30 minutes for our dental kits and for them to fix the leak as it was 6am and I believe their maintenance team hadn't arrived yet. The shower had no hot water, just lukewarm at best. After this, we were already annoyed & upset; so we called to ask if we could cancel our second night. They referred us to their Guest Relations Manager, who was quite polite and helpful and did her best to accommodate our requests. After she inspected our room, she offered to move us to a better room. This room, was much cleaner and nicer than the one before and definitely changed our views. However, there was no WI-FI connectivity in this room, and our network was less than 2 bars. But, we didn't want to complain further so we just let it go. We had breakfast at the Fisherman's grill - which was not bad. I'd rate the food 7/10. Eventually, they fixed the wi-fi on the last night when we were about to leave. The Guest Relations Manager, did constantly keep checking on us whenever we crossed paths. She also waived off the pizza bill that they served incorrectly in the beginning. So, whilst the staff was very helpful and the views were great, I think the property needs to put in more effort in its upkeep and maintenance. The beach chairs were also covered in dirt and you could not use them unless you put a towel over it. I do appreciate the staff's support in accommodating all our needs, but I believe the Management needs to focus more on the maintenance.

Alex

Rating: 3/5 Stars First off, I want to start with the biggest highlight of our stay—the staff. Truly, they were fantastic! From the cleaning personnel to the receptionists, chefs, and bartenders, everyone went above and beyond to make our experience special. Every time we passed someone in the hallway, they’d greet us with a smile, and you could genuinely feel how happy they were to help. The warmth and attentiveness of the team really made a difference and made us feel so welcomed throughout our entire stay. Special shoutout to the reception team—always smiling, always ready to assist. You guys are awesome! The food was another pleasant surprise! There was a wonderful variety of options from different cuisines around the world. The chefs clearly put a lot of effort into both the taste and presentation. We especially loved the buffet setup, where there was always something fresh and exciting to try. If you love trying new dishes, this is the place for you! We were always excited to see what new offerings would be available. The cocktails were a nice touch too—deliciously made, although not super strong, which was perfect for leisurely sipping by the pool. As for the rooms, they were spotlessly clean. The housekeeping team did a stellar job. The beds were always beautifully decorated with flowers, and the bathrooms were modern, sleek, and well-maintained. The shower was particularly impressive—spacious and clean, which we really appreciated after a long day. There were also some nice activities organized by the hotel, which we appreciated. We enjoyed playing boccia, chess, table tennis, and volleyball (although volleyball wasn't available all day since the space was also used for dinner setup). There’s a small gym, a pool table, and a well-maintained swimming pool. In the evenings, we were treated to some lovely live music on a small stage—really talented musicians who brought great energy to the nights. During the day, some group activities like water gym or a village walk were a nice way to mix things up. That said, we did feel that the range of activities was a bit limited, especially for a hotel of this category and price point. Please don’t get me wrong—we appreciated what was offered, and it was lovely to have those options. But we felt that at least a second pool or a slightly broader activity program would have made a big difference, particularly for guests staying longer or looking for a more dynamic holiday experience. The space is understandably limited, but a bit more could really elevate the experience to the next level. While there was a lot to love about this hotel, there were a few things that could use some improvement. First, the Wi-Fi was a bit of a challenge during our stay. It wasn’t always available, and when it did work, the signal was slow and weak. If you're hoping to stay connected, be prepared for some frustration. Then, there was the beach itself. The algae problem was quite noticeable—especially during low tide. The water was warm, but the algae created a pretty unpleasant smell, making it a bit gross to walk on the beach or enter the water. It would make such a difference if the algae could be cleaned up daily. On top of that, when the tide was high, the waves were quite strong, making it tricky to get in and out of the water via the stairs. Another issue we faced was the presence of the beach boys and fake Maasai down by the shore. While not directly on the hotel property (thanks to the vigilant guards), they were constantly around, asking for money, offering services, or trying to sell products. It became a bit overwhelming, and while we know they’re just trying to make a living, it did detract from the otherwise peaceful vibe of the beach. Overall, this was a great stay, and I want to thank the team once again for making our trip so memorable. I really think this place has the potential to be outstanding with a bit of improvement—particularly on the beach. I’d still recommend it, but it’s definitely worth noting the areas that could be enhanced for an even better experience.